US5019075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for angioplasty
Assignee: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
•
Filing: 1990-07-31
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Granted: 1991-05-28
•
Expires: 2010-07-31
Abstract
Abstract The region surrounding the balloon utilized in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is heated by means within the balloon or within the skin of the balloon upon inflation of the balloon such that disrupted tissues of the plaque in the arterial wall are heated in order to fuse together fragmented segments of tissue and to coagulate blood trapped within dissected planes of tissue and within fissures created by wall fracture such that upon subsequent balloon deflation a smooth cylindrically-shaped channel results, thereby to prevent collapse of any flap of material which could cause either abrupt arterial closure and an acute myocardial infarction or gradual restenosis at the site of balloon inflation.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Richard Spears
- 👤 Donna Bourgelais
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B18/082; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B2017/22001; A61B2017/22002; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22061; A61B2017/22062; A61B2017/22064; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/044; A61B2018/046; A61B18/06; A61B2018/068; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising the steps of: applying sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough, the outward pressure being applied with an expandable device; and applying sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising the steps of: applying sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough, the outward pressure being applied with an expandable device; and applying sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying energy includes applying electromagnetic energy at a wavelength and power level that does not destroy the tissue of the artery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying energy is performed at a level that reduces elastic recoil of the selected region of the artery after removal of outward pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying energy is performed at a level that fuses together segments of tissue in the selected region but that does not vaporize any tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying laser energy to the selected region of said artery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying outward pressure includes the steps of: providing an inflatable balloon in the selected region of the artery; and inflating the balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of applying energy includes applying thermal energy to a circumferential region surrounding said balloon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of applying energy includes applying energy through the wall of said balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying laser energy through said balloon to a circumferential region surrounding said balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying heat at a level sufficient to fuse together tissue segments in the selected region of said artery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying energy includes applying microwave radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of applying outward pressure and applying energy are performed percutaneously in a coronary artery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the expandable device is maintained in a stationary position in the selected region of the artery during the steps of applying outward pressure and applying energy.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising the steps of: applying outward pressure to a selected region of the artery with an expandable device; and applying energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied simultaneously with application of outward pressure at a level sufficient to fuse together segments of tissue in the selected region, said level being below the vaporization threshold of the tissue, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising the steps of: applying outward pressure to a selected region of the artery with an expandable device; and applying energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied simultaneously with application of outward pressure at a level sufficient to fuse together segments of tissue in the selected region, said level being below the vaporization threshold of the tissue, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of heating the selected region of said artery.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the step of applying outward pressure includes the steps of: providing an inflatable balloon in the selected region of the artery; and inflating the balloon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 16 wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying energy through said balloon to a circumferential region surrounding said balloon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the expandable device is maintained in a stationary position in the selected region of the artery during the steps of applying outward pressure and applying energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: expandable means for applying outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery; and means for applying energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied simultaneously with application of outward pressure at a level sufficient to fuse together segments of tissue in the selected region, said level being below the vaporization threshold of the tissue, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: expandable means for applying outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery; and means for applying energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied simultaneously with application of outward pressure at a level sufficient to fuse together segments of tissue in the selected region, said level being below the vaporization threshold of the tissue, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said expandable means includes: an inflatable balloon; means for advancing the balloon to the selected region of the artery; and means for inflating the balloon in the selected region of the artery.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said energy means includes means for applying energy through said balloon to a circumferential region surrounding said balloon.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for treatment of a body passage comprising the steps of: applying outward pressure to a selected region of the body passage at a level sufficient to form an enlarged channel therethrough, the outward pressure being applied with an expandable device; and applying energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied at a level sufficient to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the body passage simultaneously.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for treatment of a body passage comprising the steps of: applying outward pressure to a selected region of the body passage at a level sufficient to form an enlarged channel therethrough, the outward pressure being applied with an expandable device; and applying energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied at a level sufficient to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the body passage simultaneously.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as defined in claim 22 wherein the expandable device is maintained in a stationary position in the selected region of the body passage during the steps of applying outward pressure and applying energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: expandable means for applying sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough; and means for applying sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: expandable means for applying sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough; and means for applying sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for preventing abrupt reclosure and restenosis in transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an elongated flexible tube having an inflatable balloon secured at or near the end thereof; means for inflating said balloon when it has been advanced to a narrowed region of an artery to cause the balloon to enlarge the narrowed region; and heating means for supplying energy through the wall of said balloon while it is inflated to heat a substantial portion of a region of the artery surrounding the balloon and to cause reformation of the tissue in the surrounding region, said heating means including means for simultaneously applying energy to substantially the entire circumference of the region of the artery surrounding the balloon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for preventing abrupt reclosure and restenosis in transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an elongated flexible tube having an inflatable balloon secured at or near the end thereof; means for inflating said balloon when it has been advanced to a narrowed region of an artery to cause the balloon to enlarge the narrowed region; and heating means for supplying energy through the wall of said balloon while it is inflated to heat a substantial portion of a region of the artery surrounding the balloon and to cause reformation of the tissue in the surrounding region, said heating means including means for simultaneously applying energy to substantially the entire circumference of the region of the artery surrounding the balloon.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein the energy supplied through the wall of said balloon has substantially uniform radial symmetry.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for treatment of a body passage comprising: an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end which can be advanced through the body passage; an inflatable balloon secured to said tube at or near the distal end thereof and having a balloon wall; means for inflating and deflating the balloon from the proximal end of said tube to cause the balloon to form an enlarged channel in a selected region of the body passage; and heating means for supplying energy through the wall of said balloon to cause the selected region of the body passage to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after deflation of said balloon, said energy being supplied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the body passage simultaneously.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for treatment of a body passage comprising: an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end which can be advanced through the body passage; an inflatable balloon secured to said tube at or near the distal end thereof and having a balloon wall; means for inflating and deflating the balloon from the proximal end of said tube to cause the balloon to form an enlarged channel in a selected region of the body passage; and heating means for supplying energy through the wall of said balloon to cause the selected region of the body passage to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after deflation of said balloon, said energy being supplied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the body passage simultaneously.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as define in claim 27 wherein said heating means comprises: fiber optic means connectable to a light source at the proximal end and extending through the flexible tube into said balloon; and means located in said balloon and coupled to said fiber optic means for directing light energy supplied on said fiber optic means through the wall of said balloon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as define in claim 27 wherein said heating means comprises: an optical fiber extending through the flexible tube from the proximal end into said balloon; and a laser having its output coupled to said optical fiber at the proximal end of said flexible tube; and a termination located in said balloon and coupled to said optical fiber for directing energy supplied from said laser through the wall of said balloon in a generally radial direction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as define in claim 27 wherein the energy supplied through the wall of said balloon has a wavelength selected to penetrate into surrounding plaque and tissue for heating thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said energy supplied through the wall of said balloon has substantially uniform radial symmetry.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising the steps of: applying sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough, the outward pressure being applied with an expandable device; and applying sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to reduce elastic recoil of the selected region of the artery after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising the steps of: applying sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough, the outward pressure being applied with an expandable device; and applying sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to reduce elastic recoil of the selected region of the artery after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an expandable device adapted to apply outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery; and an energy device adapted to apply energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied simultaneously with application of outward pressure at a level sufficient to fuse together segments of tissue in the selected region, said level being below the vaporization threshold of the tissue, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an expandable device adapted to apply outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery; and an energy device adapted to apply energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied simultaneously with application of outward pressure at a level sufficient to fuse together segments of tissue in the selected region, said level being below the vaporization threshold of the tissue, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said expandable device includes an inflatable balloon at or near the distal end of a catheter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said energy device includes a device adapted to apply energy through said balloon to a circumferential region surrounding said balloon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an expandable device adapted to apply sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough; and an energy device adapted to apply sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an expandable device adapted to apply sufficient outward pressure to a selected stenosed region of the artery to form an enlarged channel therethrough; and an energy device adapted to apply sufficient energy to the selected region to which outward pressure is applied to cause the selected region to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after removal of outward pressure, said energy being applied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the artery simultaneously.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for preventing abrupt reclosure and restenosis in transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an elongated flexible tube having an inflatable balloon secured at or near the end thereof, said balloon being inflated when it has been advanced to a narrowed region of an artery to cause the balloon to enlarge the narrowed region; and a heating device adapted to supply energy through the wall of said balloon while it is inflated to heat a substantial portion of a region of the artery surrounding the balloon and to cause reformation of the tissue in the surrounding region, said heating device including a device adapted to simultaneously apply energy to substantially the entire circumference of the region of the artery surrounding the balloon.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for preventing abrupt reclosure and restenosis in transluminal angioplasty of a stenosed artery comprising: an elongated flexible tube having an inflatable balloon secured at or near the end thereof, said balloon being inflated when it has been advanced to a narrowed region of an artery to cause the balloon to enlarge the narrowed region; and a heating device adapted to supply energy through the wall of said balloon while it is inflated to heat a substantial portion of a region of the artery surrounding the balloon and to cause reformation of the tissue in the surrounding region, said heating device including a device adapted to simultaneously apply energy to substantially the entire circumference of the region of the artery surrounding the balloon.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for treatment of a body passage comprising: an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end which can be advanced through the body passage; an inflatable balloon secured to said tube at or near the distal end thereof and having a balloon wall, said balloon being inflated to cause the balloon to form an enlarged channel in a selected region of the body passage; and a heating device adapted to supply energy through the wall of said balloon to cause the selected region of the body passage to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after deflation of said balloon, said energy being supplied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the body passage simultaneously.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for treatment of a body passage comprising: an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end which can be advanced through the body passage; an inflatable balloon secured to said tube at or near the distal end thereof and having a balloon wall, said balloon being inflated to cause the balloon to form an enlarged channel in a selected region of the body passage; and a heating device adapted to supply energy through the wall of said balloon to cause the selected region of the body passage to be heated sufficiently to substantially maintain said enlarged channel after deflation of said balloon, said energy being supplied to substantially the entire circumference of the selected region of the body passage simultaneously.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said heating device comprises: a fiber optic device connectable to a light source at the proximal end and extending through the flexible tube into said balloon; and a device located in said balloon and coupled to said fiber optic device for directing light energy supplied on said fiber optic device through the wall of said balloon.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said heating device comprises: an optical fiber extending through the flexible tube from the proximal end into said balloon; a laser having its output coupled to said optical fiber; and a termination located in said balloon and coupled to said optical fiber for directing energy supplied form said laser through the wall of said balloon in a generally radial direction.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein the energy supplied through the wall of said balloon has substantially uniform radial symmetry.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein the energy supplied through the wall of said balloon has a wavelength selected to penetrate into surrounding plaque and tissue for heating thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |